"A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words"

There is an old saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” This cliché came to mind when I saw the picture of Franc Cardinal Rode on the website, Ad Dominum. Cardinal Rode oversees the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, and is responsible for initiating the Apostolic Visitation of America’s congregations of religious sisters. He has also been commenting on the state of religious brotherhoods. If I was to judge by the picture of him in all the splendor of the cardinal robes and court, I would get the impression that he wants to turn back the clock; back to a time when Vatican cardinals ruled and clergy and laity obeyed.

I would like to contrast that picture with the one of Boston’s Cardinal Archbishop, Sean O’Malley OFM Cap. Ever since he came to Boston, he has continued to wear his Capuchin habit during his work days, even after he was made a Cardinal. To help with the Archdiocese’s financial crisis, he sold the mansion that was the Cardinal’s Residence; and has lived in the rectory of Holy Cross Cathedral. The only time you see him wearing the scarlet is when protocol requires it.

Now Cardinal Sean and Cardinal Rode may share similar views on many issues. But when you compare the two styles, which attracts more to the Gospel life?